A Look At the History of Acupuncture. “What is acupuncture?” is surprisingly one of the most asked questions today.
There are many ways to describe this method of healing, but it is important to know that when you ask ‘what is Acupuncture’, you may find various answers to your question.
The reason for this is simple.
There are many forms of acupuncture, all of which can be effective to different levels.
What is acupuncture, then?
It is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been used for over 3000 years, some believe, even longer. In this method of healing, no Chinese Medicine theories are influenced by Western Medicine.
Rather, this medicine is based on restoring the flow of energy through the body. Qi is the energy or the life force in the body.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, when Qi is unable to flow smoothly as it should, you could feel pain or become ill.
When Acupuncture needles are inserted, these needles ‘unblock’ or stimulate a response that works to begin to move the flow, so that Qi dynamic (flow) may be restored.
This restoration results in symptomatic changes beginning to occur. When Qi flow is restored, the body becomes more balanced and therefore has the opportunity to restore more effectively and potentially speeds up the healing process.
The term Acupuncture itself means “needle piercing”
Funnily enough, this is what we do when we insert the thin needles in the skin. Acupuncturists assess where and how to needle specific anatomic points along the body.
Each point or spot is called an acupuncture point or acupoint, and each one of these points deliver a specific systematic function.
For example, we may needle a point on the shin called ST36 (Stomach 36) to impact the stomach organ to reduce someone’s nausea.
Where we needle on the body (Ex: leg, hand, foot, arm), it does not directly correlate to where the body signals will respond. However skilled professionals know which body part will elicit responses elsewhere.
If a patient is not comfortable with acupuncture needles, one may choose to experience acupressure, which is simply pressing/massaging these acupuncture points with a tool or the hands instead of inserting needles.
TCM Doctors may also choose to use other therapies in combination with the needles like heat lamps, cupping, gua sha (scraping) or electroacupuncture. Your TCM Doctor may also decide to offer you Chinese herbal medicine (Tea) to drink to speed up recovery depending on your condition.
While a half century ago people would have been unfamiliar with what might sound like a foreign and exotic treatment, in today’s world it has become a widely accepted and regularly used method of treating illness.
Naturally no practitioner recommends that you should stop taking medications prescribed to you by a Western Medical Doctor, but you could use Acupuncture as a method of healing that works alongside these other methods.
Acupuncture is now widely accepted and highly respected around the world. One should consider the benefits and how it could add value to your life through improving healing and well-being.
History of Acupuncture
The history of acupuncture is one of the most amazing stories you will hear. This is an ancient form of medicine that came close to being not used. Yet, in the last two decades there has been a vast calling for it.
As people lose faith in traditional or Western Medicine, they seek out alternative health treatments to help them to manage pain, overcome illness or to improve their quality of life. Read about the pro’s and con’s of Herbal medicine here.
The history of acupuncture dates back thousands of years.
It is believed to be a type of medicine that was practiced even before records can indicate. In fact, some believe that the history of acupuncture dates back to the Taoist traditions which could have dated back 8000 years.
During that time period, people would meditate. In doing so, they realized that there was a flow of energy in their bodies that moved within and without.
The history of acupuncture can also be traced based on the evidence of needles found today.
In some ruins found within China, needles can be found that date back to the New Stone Age. The New Stone Age was from 10,000 to 4000 years ago.
During that time, people had developed the skills to refine stones into very thin needles. The Chinese also used ‘Bian’ stones which are essentially a sharp tool that is used to treat disease.
The history of acupuncture continues with the refinement of these processes as well as the creation of new methods. Today, many people are opting for a more wholesome approach to healing. If you are one of those people and would like some professional advice – contact Doctor Rosey for an acupuncture appointment today!
